Peter

Peter had a good job in Colville’s vital logging industry.  Then an accident changed his life.  No longer able to do the same work, he needed retraining and a new opportunity.  Peter was referred to Goodwill where he went through testing and assessment of what he would be most successful doing.  Peter was hired by Colville Goodwill based on his effort and hard work during the evaluation period.

In nominating him for the Colville Goodwill Independence Award, his coworkers point out that Peter is great with customers and his peers, going out of his way to help anyone. 

Sharon 

Following several personal setbacks, Sharon came to Coeur d’Alene Goodwill in December 1999. The one-time aerospace quality control worker began working  in  Workforce Development and Social Services as receptionist/front desk person.

When Sharon started at Goodwill, she had major depression and had both physical and mental obstacles to overcome.  But as she blossomed in her new career, her depression was replaced with confidence, her sadness with humor, and her shyness with gregariousness.  She has taken on additional job duties, earning the special honor of the Coeur d’Alene Goodwill Independence Award.

Asia 

When Asia came to Goodwill’s youth program, Planning Action for Youth Success or PAYS, she brought with her a history of previous homelessness, a criminal conviction, and being a high school dropout.  Given opportunities through PAYS, which is funded under the Workforce Investment Act in partnership with the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council, Asia reached for a better life for herself and her young family.

Today she has earned her high school diploma and has a good job with a stable Spokane business. For her determination she was presented with Goodwill’s first Youth Achievement Award.

Robert

Robert’s reentry into the workforce followed a period of 15 years when he cared for his very ill mother, giving up the things he enjoyed as well as his job.  He had already overcome some of the effects of a brain injury and surgery in infancy.  After losing his mother Robert had to work in order to stay in the home.  He was trained then hired by Goodwill where he does an outstanding job in the Shoe Department.  He has escaped his isolation to enjoy a fuller life, celebrated by his receiving a Spokane area Goodwill Independence Award.

Dean

Dean was a successful contractor when suddenly he was struck down in his prime by a massive stroke.  He became partially paralyzed and lost the ability to speak clearly.  His brother Paul reports that Dean suffered the emotions you would expect from such a drastic setback.

Told by some that he would never work again, Dean was determined to make the most of training and opportunities offered by Goodwill.  Today he works in Goodwill’s North Nevada Street Facility in Spokane where he tags accessories, hangs clothes, and provides other production support.

After Dean accepted Goodwill’s first Independence Award for the greater Spokane area, his journey and his success were covered by a lengthy story with a photo in the newspaper.  His brother Paul wrote, “Goodwill gave Dean the chance to work again and in doing so gave him a second chance and a new life.”

Frances

Despite having severe arthritis and other physical challenges, Frances was determined to find work and help support her young family.

When she came to Goodwill, she received training in customer service, including how to operate modern cash registers in a busy environment.

One of Goodwill’s Employment Specialists helped Frances go to work at a local Wal-Mart and coached her through her on-the-job training.

Today Frances works 30 hours a week, having mastered the fast-paced cashiering Wal-Mart maintains. She received special recognition from her employer for raising a top amount of money for a children’s charity.

And one of her Customer Service Managers cheered proudly as Frances accepted her award as our 2002 Graduate of the Year!